Award-Winning Articles on Aging Well

Healthy aging is influenced by many factors in our lifestyle and especially over the last few decades, research has revealed several habits we can incorporate to positively impact our own aging experience.Along with this comes the idea of aging well or the concept of successful aging, both terms that can mean various things to various people.In general, however, the idea of optimizing ones physical, mental, and emotional well-being throughout the senior years has great appeal.

Throughout the last year, we took a deeper dive into this topic in our UMH blog by highlighting seven different aspects of aging well, beginning with the ever-important element of nutrition and ending with the theme of living ones unique purpose.The program, presented by the Mature Market Resource Center, a national clearinghouse for the senior market, recognizes the nations finest marketing, communications, educational materials, and programs designed and produced for older adults.Our UMH Aging Well blog series received a Silver Award for the category of Digital Publication in the Housing Division.

The entries were judged by a distinguished panel of mature market experts from across the United States for overall excellence of design, content, creativity and relevance to the senior market.The series, written and published by the UMH team, is designed to serve as a resource for adults who are aging or those caring for an aging loved one.We were delighted to take part in the Mature Media Awards Program this year, and were honored to be selected as a winner, said Beth Bemis, Senior Vice President, Sales, Marketing, and Community Culture for United Methodist Homes.We are so proud of the work our UMH team has done in creating such valuable content for those who are on this journey of aging.Aging Well Series, Part 1 - Good Nutrition as a Vital Ingredient for Healthhttps://www.umh.org/assisted-independent-living-blog/aging-well-good-nutritionThe truth is our nutritional needs and realities evolve with age, so its important to understand these changes and approach senior nutrition accordingly.

In this article, we look at a few expert answers to common questions to help focus your efforts on channeling good nutrition for overall health and wellness in the critical area of aging well.Aging Well Series, Part 2 Expert Insights on the Role of Exercisehttps://www.umh.org/assisted-independent-living-blog/aging-well-exerciseProper physical activity is vital to healthy aging, and it supports a wealth of benefits for seniors who incorporate this aspect into their daily lives.In fact, exercise is one of the best and most important elements a senior can implement in the interest of aging well.In this article, we break down some helpful insights and information on precisely what role physical activity plays in ones senior yearsand what older adults can do to integrate exercise in a healthy way.Aging Well Series, Part 3 Embracing a Playful Approach to Lifehttps://www.umh.org/assisted-independent-living-blog/aging-well-playAging well is, in large part, about maximizing ones quality of lifeand what level of quality can there be if youre not actually enjoying it? So, how much fun are you having in your day-to-day life? And why is prioritizing playtime so integral to supporting physical, mental, and emotional well-being, particularly for older adults? In this article, were uncovering answers to these questions and helping seniors tap into their primary play personalities as a means of positively impacting the aging process.Aging Well Series, Part 4 5 Ways Human Connection Impacts Senior Healthhttps://www.umh.org/assisted-independent-living-blog/aging-well-human-connection-healthAs we move further along in our Aging Well series, we continue the discussion with a focus on socialization and human connection.Studies have shown time and again that social connection is vital to human health throughout a persons life.

Research has begun to shed a brighter light on this topic over the last few decades because of its major role in overall well-being.In this article, we break down five critical insights on the incredible impact of socialization and human connection on the aging process.Aging Well Series, Part 5 Education, Games, Puzzles, and Challenges for the Brainhttps://www.umh.org/assisted-independent-living-blog/aging-well-series-education-games-puzzlesPrioritizing cognition and brain health is equally important in the area of aging well.So, whats one of the best ways to improve or sustain memory functions and other cognitive abilities? Practice using the brain.

In fact, research suggests that the more an area of the brain is used, the harder the body works to keep the neurons in that brain region healthy and connected.In this article, we review opportunities for aging well which focus on engaging the brain in purposeful ways.Aging Well Series, Part 6 The 5-Layered Approach to Prolonging Independencehttps://www.umh.org/assisted-independent-living-blog/aging-well-series-5-layered-approachIt could be said that independence is the ultimate goal for aging adults.In this context, independence means so much more than simply living on your own without extra assistance.Its about thriving in such a way that supports a sense of freedom in ones life.

So, what does it take to achieve that level of independence and maintain it throughout the aging process? In this article, well examine how the five components of nutrition, physical activity, play, human connection, and brain exercise contribute to prolonged independence for seniors, creating a multi-layered approach.Aging Well Series, Part 7 Living Ones Unique Purpose through Communityhttps://www.umh.org/assisted-independent-living-blog/purpose-through-communityOver the years of ones life, theres a pattern of filling various roles that cultivate a sense of purpose or meaning.For many seniors, however, this sense of purpose can diminish as they begin to experience isolation, a loss of independence, or a decline in health.But overall well-being at this stage of life is predicated on the very foundation of staying connected to ones unique purpose.

For lots of older adults, the key to supporting a healthy sense of purpose is tapping into the power of community.In this article, we look at some of the most dynamic ways community living helps seniors recognize and honor their sense of purpose.